In Generation II, the tower is known as the Tin Tower, and only the Rainbow Wing is required to reach the top. In Pokémon Crystal, the Clear Bell summons Suicune to the ground floor of the tower; however, Ho-Oh does not appear until all three of the legendary beasts have been captured and the Elite Four has been defeated.

History

Seven hundred years before the events of the games, two nine-tier towers were built opposite each other in Ecruteak City. The towers were built to foster friendship and hope between Pokémon and people. The view from atop the towers was said to be magnificent.

The eastern tower was said to awaken Pokémon, while the western tower was where Pokémon were said to rest, similar to Hoenn's Cave of Origin and Mt. Pyre, respectively. Ho-Oh roosted at the top of the Bell Tower to the east.

However, about 150 years before the games' events, a lightning bolt struck the western tower. It was engulfed in flames that raged for three days. A sudden downpour finally put out the blaze, but it had already burned to the ground. Three nameless Pokémon perished in the fire, but Ho-Oh descended from the sky and resurrected them. The Pokémon are said to embody three powers: the lightning that struck the tower, the fire that burned it, and the rain that extinguished the fire. When the Pokémon appeared, they struck terror in those who saw their rise. The three Pokémon, knowing their own power, fled, running like the wind off into the grassland.

Layout

Outside and 1F-5F

6F-10F and Summit

Eyecatches

Morning (Rattata)

Day (Rattata)

Evening (Rattata)

Night (Gastly)

In the anime

Tin Tower in the anime

The tower appeared in the episode For Ho-Oh the Bells Toll, where it was referred to as the Tin Tower by the dub, like in the English Generation II games. The importance of bells is made clear as the tower holds four bells on each floor, which will only ring if Ho-Oh or Suicune is coming. In addition, the bells on the top floor are made of crystal and will only ring for Ho-Oh's appearance.

Neither of the towers have any relation to Lugia in this continuity. This tower was also built after the other tower had already burned. It is said that Ho-Oh would occasionally appear at the old tower as a sign of peace to a chosen few who were Morty's ancestors. However, several greedy people tried to take its power, burning down the original in the ensuing battle and forcing Ho-Oh to flee the tower. The people of Ecruteak City decided to make another tower in hope of Ho-Oh returning, though it never did.

It is actually possible to use Dig to escape from the Bell Tower, except from the roof, and return to the entrance; this is because, as can be seen from the in-battle background used in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, the Bell Tower is classified as a cave area, rather than a building, likely to allow wildPokémon to be found. This also applies to Sprout Tower and Burned Tower.

If the summit is counted as a floor, the Bell Tower in Generation IV is tied with the Silph Co. in having the most traversable floors in any building in the Pokémon world.

Origin

A Buddhist temple in the real world city of Kyoto is known as Ginkaku-ji. Unlike its counterpart, Kinkaku-ji, which is covered in gold leaf, this temple is not covered in silver leaf, though this was originally intended. A statue of avian likeness rest atop each of the two real world towers.